2003 Ford Focus Ford Focus 2003

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2003 Ford Focus repairs by problem area

Engine (42%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (23%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (18%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 332 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Ford Focus.

2003 Ford Focus repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (41%)

< $100 (42%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 266 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Ford Focus

Engine not specified

Ford Focus in California, United States
Apr 2014 - Jul 2014
Jul 2014

115000 mi
Drivers Chair malfunction- broken since I bought the car. It got bad. I didn't replace it. Cost. Battled back problems during and for months after. 
Ford Focus in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2013 - Dec 2013
Jun 2013

114000 mi

US $1000
Replaced rear wheel bearings and a a outer tie rod. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Alberta, Canada
Jul 2010 - Sep 2014
Sep 2010

118420 mi

C $295
Replaced two front anti-sway bar links. 
Oct 2010

119040 mi

C $1551
Clutch rebuild to install new clutch kit with slave cylinder. 
Sep 2012

135160 mi

C $529
Replaced left inner seal and left side CV axle. 
Jun 2013

143840 mi

C $1300
Front springs replaced. Water pump replaced. 
Ford Focus in Ohio, United States
Dec 2007 - Mar 2012
Dec 2009

82000 mi

US $217
Leaking clutch master cylinder replaced 
Jun 2010

91000 mi

US $294
Leaking engineered plastic mono bloc assembly housing the thermostat and where hoses are connected. Mono bloc, thermostat and gaskets were replaced. 
Dec 2011

117000 mi

US $80
Exhaust system bracket rusted off. Part not available so welded new bracket in place.. 
Ford Focus in Maryland, United States
Dec 2007 - Nov 2011
Oct 2008

102000 mi

US $76
There was an electrical problem whereby when the brake lights came on the radio would die. It appears to have been a loose ground between the engine and the body. Also caused the engine to freak out. 
Jan 2009

106000 mi

US $960
Heater core was shot and leaked coolant. The whole heater core had to be replaced along with several hoses. Also had a leaky valve cover gasket replaced. 
Nov 2011

125000 mi
Car had CEL, probably 02 sensor. Blower for the AC was not working. Replaced one burnt fuse for the AC, did not fix. All was disclosed to buyer but he bought anyway. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Ohio, United States
May 2014 - Jun 2014
Jun 2014

202000 mi

US $60
Bad shift solenoid replaced. 
Ford Focus in Indiana, United States
Mar 2016 - Mar 2017
Mar 2017

203000 mi
Exhaust was getting too rusty to be worth repair 
Ford Focus in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2008 - May 2009
Mar 2009

91760 mi

C $150
Stabilizer linkages replaced. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Ohio, United States
May 2008 - Mar 2010
Mar 2008

60000 mi

US $15
Replaced turn signal relay 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Nova Scotia, Canada
Jul 2012 - Mar 2013
Oct 2012

73960 mi

C $80
Driver's side brake caliper seized. Took calipers off my old focus (which is now a parts car). Heater fan bearing making horrible squeaking sound - not loud but same effect as nails on a blackboard! Mechanic replaced fan with the one from my old focus parts car. It has also started making the noise now (Jan) but only on lowest setting 
Feb 2013

78120 mi

C $460
caliper seized - destroyed rotors and pads on one side. 
Mar 2013

78120 mi
water pump leaking - and body work needed to be done too so decided to cut my losses and trade it in. 
Ford Focus in Ontario, Canada
Feb 2011 - Sep 2011
Mar 2011

106020 mi

C $250
Several problems to describe. Rear trunk latch seized, lubrication fixed it.  Driver and passenger (front and rear passenger) hand crank window regulators replaced.  Broken driver's seat replaced. My 5 foot 110 pound wife drives this car. 
Sep 2011

117800 mi

C $150
Broken spring on the front passenger side. Replaced passenger and driver side with new strut kit. Will replace rear shocks this weekend (preventative maintenance). 
Ford Focus in District of Columbia, United States
Aug 2011 - Mar 2012
Oct 2011

57300 mi
New alternator.  Replaced transmission mount. 
Nov 2011

57600 mi

US $2300
Right side lower control arm and bolts. Right & left fronts struts. Rack pinion. O2 sensor EGR sensor & valve Vaccuum solenoid Battery, 3 relays, waterpump, thermostat, and resistor replaced 
Ford Focus in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2010 - Jul 2011
Jul 2011

C $1500
Transmission will not shift into overdrive and into third gear also. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in California, United States
Mar 2015 - Sep 2016
Feb 2016

130900 mi

US $700
Quite occasionally, car would not re-start when engine was hot. Would re-start when engine cooled to air temperature. Problem was undiagnosed for 2 repair visits. Problem finally diagnosed as weak battery. 
Sep 2016

133000 mi

US $425
EGR valve replacement. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in New Hampshire, United States
May 2014 - Aug 2014
Jul 2014

141500 mi

US $596
My car just turned off on the highway. They said it was a bad alternator. They replaced it. 
Aug 2014

144000 mi

US $600
The whole system was checked out in a tune up and all spark plugs were replaced, the serpentine belt and 2 ignition coils were replaced. Update: check engine light came back on within a week, and now it doesn't start at all. 
Ford Focus in New Jersey, United States
Sep 2014 - Jan 2017
Nov 2014

121700 mi
new engine mount 
May 2016

140000 mi
alternator stopped charging, replaced with rebuilt unit 
Jun 2016

141000 mi

US $35
sway bar end links 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Massachusetts, United States
Jul 2017 - Mar 2018
Aug 2017

256000 mi

US $100
Wheel bearings replaced 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Florida, United States
Jul 2010 - Jun 2011
Jun 2011

138000 mi

US $50
Drive belt tensioner was noisy and replaced. 
Ford Focus in Kansas, United States
Nov 2014 - Sep 2015
Jan 2015

72500 mi

US $922
engine making squealing sound. Valve cover leaking. Dealer replaced timing belt and tensioner,serpentine belt and tensioner, valve cover gasket. 
Ford Focus in Indiana, United States
Jun 2010 - Dec 2011
Feb 2011

99000 mi

US $590
radiator and water pump leak 
Oct 2011

104000 mi

US $560
waterpump faulty and timing belt was soon due for replacement so had both replaced  replaced coolant hoses. one had started to fail, so as a precautionary I thought it best to replace all of them. 
Ford Focus in Alberta, Canada
Jul 2014 - May 2018
Dec 2014

35340 mi

C $200
Replace belt tensioner and idler pull. 
Dec 2015

47740 mi

C $300
Replaced both front strut assemblies after the right one started leaking badly. 
Mar 2018

76260 mi

C $50
Replaced leaking water outlet housing. 
Ford Focus in Delaware, United States
Apr 2013 - Mar 2016
May 2014

145000 mi

US $62
replaced anti sway bar links. Do not buy factory replacement part from Ford, buy a good name brand, they are built stronger and come with a grease fitting and will last a lot longer. I Am sure these are not the first set put on this car. 
Oct 2015

170500 mi

US $84
Car has a miss sometimes when started also starting to sputter when leaving a red light or stop sign. Plan to try plugs and wires, then coil packs. 
Dec 2015

172000 mi

US $115
Car would miss at different times , weather or conditions didn't matter . replaced coil and plugs . Coils had cracks all over but problem still happens when it wants to.Still working on problem. Changed fuel filter too . No help. 
Jan 2016

172200 mi

US $125
Timing belt broke replaced it along with water pump,tensioner,serpentine belt and all seals. Earlier misfire was because it had jumped a couple of teeth. 
Ford Focus in Wisconsin, United States
May 2011 - Aug 2014
Dec 2012

106000 mi

US $160
replace entire exhaust system, front to back. 
Dec 2013

109000 mi

US $650
Replaced the LH control arm, inner and outer tie rod. Two wheel alignment. 
Ford Focus in Pennsylvania, United States
Nov 2008 - Aug 2013
Aug 2013

133000 mi

US $250
Heater Thermostat Housing Leaking, causing large loss of coolant. 
Ford Focus in Kansas, United States
Aug 2009 - Mar 2013
Feb 2010

99400 mi
Power lock on driver's door was jamming, and would not allow the door to be opened unless the key was used. Problem solved by taking apart the door & latch assembly, cleaning, lubing, and replacing. Seat belt latch was jamming for the driver's seat, making it very difficult to unlatch the seat belt & get out of the car. Problem was fixed by simply spraying some WD-40 into latch. 
Jul 2011

114200 mi

US $60
Thermostat housing was cracked. Replaced Housing and thermostat.  Also replaced valve cover gasket. Cracked T-stat housing may have been caused by oil seeping from valve cover getting on Tstat housing gasket, causing it to swell. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Iowa, United States
Jun 2003 - Jun 2013
Jan 2003

100 mi
none as far as I can tell. 
Ford Focus in Florida, United States
Mar 2009 - Jul 2016
Nov 2009

76000 mi
Alternator failure. Replaced. Replacement lasted 2 weeks, replaced again under warranty. 
Jan 2010

90000 mi
Replacement alternator failed after approximately 1 month. Thermostat failed, stuck closed, and required replacement. Trunk release no longer works from dash switch. Cruise control stopped working. Checked for obvious problems - fuses, connections, etc; decided not to repair. Book value on car is less than 3K; not worth dumping money into. 
Jul 2011

99700 mi

US $185
Water pump leaking. Replaced T-belt while apart. Engine mounts collapsed. 
Mar 2012

111000 mi
Alternator failed again, warranty item. R&R alternator. 
Jul 2013

133300 mi

US $15
PCV hose 90 degree elbow disintegrated causing a vacuum leak. Car would not idle properly. 
Apr 2014

148300 mi

US $200
Developed intermittent miss, coil pack defective. 
Jun 2014

150000 mi

US $40
Recharge AC 
Ford Focus in Virginia, United States
Sep 2012 - Apr 2013
Oct 2012

55000 mi

US $800
new clutch 
Apr 2013

70000 mi
Clutch safety switch was no longer being depressed by the clutch and car didn't start. I fixed it myself by putting magnets on the clutch to extend it further so it would depress the switch when I pushed the clutch in. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Ohio, United States
May 2008 - Apr 2013
Jan 2010

82000 mi

US $110
Replaced right passenger side motor mount. Bad vibration with engine running and growling noise around right turns. Replaced front sway bar links. Bad front end rattle over bumps and dangerous roll in car handling. 
Jun 2011

96000 mi

US $300
Replaced leaking Evaporator core and accumulator. Went to have it recharged and learned needed to replace more parts. Also did brakes all around. 
Jul 2011

97000 mi

US $175
Replaced suction hose and one liquid hose. Vacuumed and recharged system. Replaced accumulator, suction hose, and one liquid hose. Vacuumed and recharged system. 
Dec 2011

103000 mi

US $40
Hesitant downshifting when coasting - replaced throttle position sensor that had clearly failed. Smoother acceleration and mild relief of shifting problem. Update: later fixed hesitation when found a bad plug wire. 
Jul 2012

108300 mi

US $100
Replaced wheel bearings (as part of drum assembly) while doing rear brakes. Steadier/smoother ride - it was time. 
Mar 2013

116000 mi
Had to replace both rear drums due to bearing failure - second replacement within 12 months. Napa parts replaced under warranty. 
Ford Focus in North Carolina, United States
Jun 2012 - Sep 2016
Sep 2012

136000 mi

US $1200
A valve seat came out of the cylinder head, ruined the head and 1 piston. Replaced head, piston, connecting rod, rings 
May 2014

158000 mi

US $500
timing belt tensioner failed. 
Aug 2015

177000 mi

US $450
water pump started leaking, replaced 
Ford Focus in Maine, United States
Oct 2009 - Feb 2012
Apr 2009

99000 mi

US $220
Inspection Sticker Sway Bar Linkage on passenger and driver sides Fuel Filter 
May 2009

105000 mi

US $169
timing belt & serpetine belt & plugs/wires because of a misfiring spark plug 
Sep 2011

139000 mi

US $100
Crankshaft Sensor went bad and needed to be replaced. After replacement, car has been running fine. 
Feb 2012

143000 mi
entire exhaust system, heat shield for exhaust heater blower motor left side ball joint 
Ford Focus in Michigan, United States
Feb 2008 - Jul 2012
Sep 2008

27000 mi

US $100
Ignition lock cylinder would not turn to the on position without tapping the key for several minutes. Ordered new cylinder at http://www.sandiegolockandsafe.com/fordfocus.html by emailing them a picture of the key. 
Ford Focus in Indiana, United States
Feb 2012 - Jun 2013
Sep 2012

142010 mi

US $3044
Transmission replaced after going completely out. 
Ford Focus in Wisconsin, United States
Mar 2016 - Jun 2017
Mar 2017

155000 mi

US $100
Seized calliper. Replaced it and replaced pads on both sides 
Ford Focus in Tennessee, United States
Sep 2014 - May 2016
Oct 2015

148000 mi

US $100
car needed new passenger side engine mount, common on old Foci 
May 2016

149000 mi
Cheap-arsed SPI engine finally dropped a valve seat, causing enough damage to not make it worth repairing...very common problem Ford refused to acknowledge, I inew I was "rolling the dice" every time I drove it. 
Ford Focus in Georgia, United States
Nov 2013 - Jan 2019
Jan 2014

66000 mi

US $900
Clutch replaced 
Ford Focus in New York, United States
Dec 2008 - Oct 2015
Nov 2008

47500 mi

US $700
Rear door handles/locks 
Aug 2009

60000 mi

US $140
EG pipe broke. Purchased new one from local Ford dealership. Rubber tube connected to the engine had broken off. Previous owner had stuffed the broken end with wad of electrical tape. The air wasn't able to circulate through the engine properly. Shift cable was melted from problem 1. Has not been installed yet. 
Jun 2010

70000 mi

US $80
Sway bar links were worn out. 
Nov 2010

76700 mi

US $13
Coolant Temperature Sensor needed to be replaced - was running too cool 
Nov 2011

87000 mi

US $330
Car was misfiring on cyl 1. Also smelled strongly of anti-freeze. Found a loose clamp and the coolant thermostat needed to be replaced. Was missing the motor mount on the driver side. Due to damage from it being missing, the passenger side motor mount was replaced as well. 
Feb 2012

90000 mi

US $260
Left front wheel bearing making a loud roar. 
Jul 2012

93300 mi

US $56
Rough starts and rough idle. Fuel pump replaced. Cracked head gasket. Nothing done yet 
Aug 2012

93900 mi

US $800
Engine had cracked head gasket. Cause unknown. Had the heads resurfaced and repaired using a head gasket kit. 
Jan 2013

97000 mi

US $1680
Reverse and 2nd gear were completely lost. Replaced entire transmission with a used one with about 30,000 miles on it. 
Mar 2015

118000 mi
Cylinder 2 misfiring. Spark plugs, wires, and ignition coil replaced. 
Apr 2015

118300 mi

US $385
alternator died 
Oct 2015

123000 mi

US $325
Radiator hoses were dry rotted. Water pump died. Decided to not replace. 
Ford Focus in Connecticut, United States
Jul 2010 - Sep 2014
Sep 2010

53000 mi

US $457
car was misfiring and ignition coil and ignition wires replaced 
Oct 2010

54000 mi

US $175
EGR tube had split by exhaust manifold, tube and gasket were replaced. Parts were purchased from Ford dealer by local shop. 
Dec 2011

62000 mi

US $110
error code requiring fuel cap to be replaced 
Mar 2012

64000 mi

US $100
replaced power window regulator of rear window 
Dec 2012

70000 mi

US $260
motor mount needed to be replaced P0456 failure code 
May 2014

80000 mi

US $500
replaced solenoid for overdrive. Car would not always shift into overdrive 
Ford Focus in Virginia, United States
Apr 2009 - Mar 2010
Jun 2009

72000 mi

US $20
A/C was not coming out cold. Bought a R134-A A/C recharge kit from auto parts store. This did the trick, and a month later, the A/C is still running cool. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan

Ford Focus in New York, United States
Mar 2017 - Apr 2017
Apr 2017

93000 mi

US $65
Replace gasket including grommets 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Maryland, United States
Jan 2008 - Sep 2011
Aug 2008

57000 mi

US $600
Rear wiper motor crapped out, wiper stopped during use in the middle of the rear window. 
Jan 2009

62000 mi

US $520
Front wipers occasionally failed to operate. 
Jan 2011

95000 mi

US $900
Heat shield over cat was loose. Shield was removed as dealer suggested proper repair would have required a new cat. Throttle was sticking, particularly in cold weather, on tip-in. At open throttle (to any degree), sticking would not occur, but opening closed throttle would require abnormal force. Throttle body was dirty, system was cleaned. Parking brake sticking in sub-freezing temps. Cable was to be replaced, but a lube and anti-seize application appears to have solved the problem, so no replacement was done. Heat failing to work initially, but root cause was sticking thermostat. Thermostat replaced. Passenger side bulb out. Lights are SVT optional HID bulbs. Dealer was having trouble finding a bulb, asked me to try to source a bulb cheaper than his best quote. To be installed this week. 
Feb 2011

96700 mi
Bulb installed. 
Sep 2011

108000 mi
Focus SVT decided that it was tired of being a car and would rather be a bonfire. It always had a flair for the dramatic. Totaled. 
Ford Focus in Georgia, United States
Oct 2014 - Nov 2014
Nov 2014

113000 mi

US $50
Clutch master cylinder leaking break fluid when depressed. Replaced part and bled the system. 
Ford Focus in Oklahoma, United States
Feb 2009 - Nov 2014
Mar 2013

116000 mi

US $550
Alternator failed and was replaced. 
Nov 2014

136000 mi

US $1200
Splined center hole on the clutch disc wore smooth. Had to replace disc. Thermostat housing cracked and leaking. 
Ford Focus in Texas, United States
Mar 2011 - Feb 2012
Mar 2011

68500 mi

US $750
Axle and half shaft replacement for the left front wheel.  
Apr 2011

69002 mi

US $165
Thermostat housing and a temp sensor. Thermostat housing and a temp sensor. 
Feb 2012

71000 mi
Transmission shift bushing, clutch master cylinder, and drivers side CV axle needed replacing. This was primarily the reason for trading it in along with the high car payment. 
Ford Focus in Florida, United States
- Oct 2008
Apr 2006

21334 mi

US $4679
Replace Flywheel and Clutch Assembly. Failure damaged splines on transaxle so it was replaced also. 
Oct 2008

65034 mi

US $1245
Dual-mass Flywheel again failed and was replaced along with clutch assembly. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Ontario, Canada
Nov 2009 - Jun 2016
Mar 2009

34999 mi

C $200
front end noise required replacement of sway bars 
Nov 2009

37188 mi

C $25
horn is close to ground and fails after a few years (common repair for this car) 
Dec 2009

37200 mi

C $1
The exhaust heat shield was rattling around. The tin nuts corrode away... just reattached with new nuts 
Nov 2010

41540 mi

C $280
Needed new rear drums as the originals were out of round, reused pads, new bearings with drums 
Jun 2012

55289 mi

C $280
A/C line corroded through at a cheap steel clip causing cathodic corrosion (note to owners, you can remove the cheap steel clips (2) - they are installed only for ease of assembly at the factory) 
Feb 2013

63612 mi

C $650
Clutch master cylinder leaking onto rubber floormat. 
Nov 2013

77500 mi

C $65
Replaced valve cover gasket (dried out and minor leak) - self 
Apr 2014

83080 mi
Repaired ignition coil harness - wire corroded, detached from connector plug. Second wire to fail at a connector plug. Got home on two cylinders, spliced in a wire. Seems a common issue with this car.... Outer tie rod end worn - noticeable play. Replaced with Moog parts (nice). Repaired ignition coil harness - wire corroded, detached from connector plug. Second wire to fail at a connector plug. Got home on two cylinders, spliced in a wire. Seems a common issue with this car.... 
Nov 2015

93000 mi

C $500
Replaced alternator 
Ford Focus in British Columbia, Canada
Dec 2006 - Mar 2011
Mar 2006

34658 mi
Fuel pump and sender replaced in response to check engine light coming on numerous occasions after refueling. Covered under warranty. 
Nov 2006

43623 mi

C $221
To correct annoying rattle just over 3000 RPM, exhaust flex pipe replacement. This was an ongoing annoyance, just couldn't pinpoint the source. If I had made an issue sooner, would have been warranty. 
Sep 2007

55800 mi

C $52
Rattle in front suspension, over bumps; replaced both links for front stabilizer bar. Price is parts only, installed myself. 
Nov 2007

57970 mi

C $184
Replace clutch master cylinder due to fluid leak (on floor mat.) 
Feb 2008

60636 mi

C $360
Ignition coil pack and connector failure. Limped to dealer on 2 cylinders. Ignition coil pack and connector failure. Limped to dealer on 2 cylinders. 
Apr 2009

72540 mi
Tilt & Telescopic steering wheel lever would not stay in place at times and the wheel would move if not in exactly right position. I used to work at this dealership as parts manager, and was not charged. Cleaned & adjusted mechanism. 
May 2009

73780 mi

C $165
Rattling serpentine belt tensioner. Replaced by dealer. Front stabilizer bar link replaced AGAIN! Rattle when going over bumps. replaced and problem fixed. Just over parts warranty period, so the OE parts used last time were even worse than the originals. GRRR. 
Oct 2009

76260 mi

C $100
Replaced front struts and one front sway bar end link again, under extended warranty. The sway bar links are a constant problem on Focus. 
Mar 2010

81220 mi

C $100
Engine vibration when cold only, Replace RH engine mount. Concern fixed. Tech also found RH axle center support Bearing worn; replaced at same time, paid one deductible. Rh axle shaft support bearing replaced. 
Feb 2011

88040 mi

C $150
Noisy RF wheel Bearing, replaced. Upon checking, R. axle support bearing was replaced (again) under parts warranty, so part of total labor was covered. Also replaced inner RF axle seal, as it was weeping. 
Ford Focus in New York, United States
Jun 2014 - Nov 2015
Aug 2014

153000 mi

US $65
Noticed a burning brake smell when driving, left front caliper slide pins seized. As it was the original part, I replaced the entire caliper. 
Oct 2014

153800 mi

US $180
I was traveling when I noticed a load roaring noise, which was a failed wheel bearing. As I was out of town, I paid a local garage to complete the repair. Changed over to winter wheels and noticed play in the front end. Replaced both outer tie rod ends and alignment performed. 
Mar 2015

160000 mi
Noticed a slight burning brake smell after driving the car a few times. Right front brake caliper (piston/seal interface) had failed. As I had recently replaced this part, the local parts company exchanged the part under warranty. 
Jul 2015

164300 mi

US $425
Noticed the typical roaring noise at speed. Mechanic confirmed my thought of wheel bearing. Front driver side bearing and hub knuckle replaced. 
Ford Focus in Nevada, United States
Aug 2003 - Mar 2010
Jul 2003

5000 mi
AF/FM CD system LCD read out deffective FREE under warranty 
Jun 2005

24000 mi
Cooling Fan loose and cut hole in radiator causing leak of coolant (fixed under warranty) 
Jul 2005

24500 mi
Air Flow sensor defective FREE under warranty 
Feb 2007

34000 mi

US $900
Ignition Lock defective unable to unlock 
Jun 2008

70000 mi

US $250
Right Engine Mount broken 
May 2009

85000 mi

US $450
Front Struts - worn out causing excessive front tire wear 
Sep 2009

98000 mi

US $98
Cracked and leaking coolant expansion tank Cracked and Leaking coolant expansion tank 
Nov 2009

98825 mi
Timing chain skipped timing on OHC, engine dead 
Ford Focus in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2013 - Mar 2020
Oct 2015

141240 mi

C $440
Replaced both rear wheel bearing assemblies including spindles due to normal wear. Replaced rear springs due to breakage. 
Mar 2016

145700 mi

C $160
Both factory original outer tie rod ends loose, replaced. 
Jul 2016

151460 mi

C $200
Replaced leaking flex pipe. 
Aug 2016

153760 mi

C $70
Replaced blown heater coolant tube (on top of radiator). Replaced defective rear wheel bearing. 
Oct 2016

156820 mi

C $50
Replaced lower torque mount and driver's side transmission mount. Did not replace hydraulic engine mount on passenger's side, noise persists. Replaced passenger side hydraulic engine mount with aftermarket part. Resolved engine noise and vibration for about 3000kms and failed. Garbage part, should've known better. 
Dec 2016

159960 mi
Replaced aftermarket passengers side engine mount with part from Ford, engine noise and vibration eliminated. 
Feb 2017

163060 mi

C $150
Replaced right (pass. side) wheel bearing due to imminent failure. Had to replace ABS sensor that was seized into hub during job. Had to repair ABS sensor harness connector due to wire failure during disassembly, wire was corroded. Replaced right (pass. side) front control arm due to excessive play in rubber bushings. Original factory part replaced with Moog part. 
Apr 2017

165788 mi

C $80
Replaced left (driver's side) control arm. Original equipment replaced with Moog part. Rubber bushings were failing. 
May 2017

169260 mi
EGR valve vacuum input plate disintegrated from rust, CEL on indicating low/no EGR flow. Rerouted EGR vacuum line and temporarily bypassed EGR system. This resolved an unidentified rough idle and acceleration issues, likely caused by a vacuum leak created by the rusted EGR valve. Improved drivability as a result. 
Nov 2017

177940 mi

C $200
Replaced aftermarket lower torque strut that failed less than a year after install. Replaced with genuine Ford part. Should’ve known better. 
Mar 2018

182280 mi

C $30
Replaced faulty EGR vacuum solenoid. 
May 2018

185380 mi

C $100
Replaced rear passenger wheel bearing. Failure seems to be due to the original dust cap not being sealed. Significant rust under the cap due to water and salt intrusion. Replaced again with aftermarket parts. 
Ford Focus in Ontario, Canada
Oct 2010 - Sep 2016
Mar 2011

104160 mi

C $230
front passenger wheel bearing. it was original. 
Nov 2011

119040 mi

C $150
Regular maintenance, original egr valve went. easily replaced, made a big difference on my mpg. 
Jun 2013

143220 mi

C $118
Right rear wheel bearing gone @230k km. General wear. 
Sep 2013

145700 mi

C $400
Leaking power steering high pressure pipe Rear wheel bearing. All four have now been replaced since I owned the car 150k km. 
Mar 2014

149420 mi

C $100
Driver side rear wheel bearing malfunction. Out of warranty on part. New unit installed from a different manufacturer. 
Oct 2014

153640 mi

C $90
Driver side rear wheel bearing 
Sep 2015

166160 mi

C $156
Replaced coil. Coil was cracked and motor could not sustain load without missfiring. Also caused the speedometer to go crazy. 
Ford Focus in Missouri, United States
Jan 2008 - May 2011
Feb 2009

105000 mi

US $60
Thermostat housing cracked and leaked around o-ring. Thermostat housing replaced by owner. 
Jul 2009

110000 mi

US $175
Alternator replaced 
Nov 2009

116000 mi

US $25
Front sway bar end links 
Feb 2011

132700 mi

US $100
Factory stereo died (Blaupunkt). Replaced with an aftermarket unit (Pioneer). 
Apr 2011

136000 mi
Both front coil springs broke and were replaced under warranty due to factory defect. Common problem so covered by ford on Focus up to 10 year or 150K miles. Both front coil springs broke and were replaced under warranty due to factory defect. Common problem so covered by ford on Focus up to 10 year or 150K miles. 
Ford Focus in Michigan, United States
Dec 2008 - Dec 2016
Sep 2010

56000 mi

US $100
Went in for 60K service and brake issue. Dealership also diagnosed leaking cam cover gasket. rear hub bearing cap replaced. 
Jul 2011

64000 mi

US $750
Front road spring broken - vehicle taken to shop for replacement along with 4 new wheels due to 2 damaged rims from pot hole damage. (changing all 4 wheels was same price as 2 new "OEM" wheels that are not robust.) 
Feb 2015

78000 mi

US $50
Sway bar link seized and had to be replaced. Replaced both sides. 
Nov 2016

84300 mi

US $150
Engine oil leak. Strange noise - AC clutch engaging / disengaging. AC recharge kit was purchased and used to recharge refrigerant. 
Ford Focus in Alberta, Canada
Jan 2010 - Nov 2010
Feb 2010

60760 mi

C $400
Clutch master cylinder was leaking fluid inside the car. Cylinder was replaced. Front spring broke. Had to replace both front springs. 
Nov 2010

63860 mi

C $15
Less that 1/2 the strips on the rear defroster work. I tried fixing it with a kit, got a couple to work but would need to take one or two more attempts to fix the problem I think. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in California, United States
Oct 2012 - Jul 2013
Mar 2013

156000 mi

US $800
Auto tranny died. Replaced with junkyard tranny. 
Jul 2013

161000 mi

US $300
P0340 camshaft position sensor code. The root problem was a worn and wobbly crank pulley. The wobble caused an uneven crank pulse which the OBD software misinterpreted as a bad cam sensor. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4dr Hatch

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Texas, United States
Dec 2014 - Sep 2016
Sep 2015

113000 mi

US $280
compressor clutch...replaced whole unit 
Feb 2016

117000 mi
Unknown, phantom electrical problem blew a 30 amp fuse, car stopped on freeway - twice! Replaced with a larger, 50 amp fuse. No problems since. New battery 4-9-16. 
Ford Focus in Arizona, United States
Dec 2016 - Jun 2018
Apr 2017

163000 mi

US $25
I replaced the front brake pads 
Sep 2017

166000 mi

US $25
Thermostat housing cracked and coolant was leaking out as fast as I was putting it in. Idler pulley seized up and threw my serpentine belt. Had to be towed home at 5 am costing 105 dollars. 
Jun 2018

169000 mi

US $300
Had to replace something to do with the ac that stopped the freon from leaking out by the passenger side wheel. Front driver side and front passenger side Lower control arms replaced Power steering reservoir replaced The head gasket seals and the symptoms were mixed oil coolant leaking under car. 

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2003 Ford Focus 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Ford Focus in Florida, United States
Oct 2011 - Feb 2013
Dec 2011

95000 mi

US $465
Replace drums, shoes, and brake lines. Replace wheel bearings. 
May 2012

99500 mi

US $104
Replaced imrc vacuum selenoid 
Aug 2012

102300 mi

US $30
Replaced rear motor mount 
Oct 2012

102300 mi

US $100
Replaced wiper motor 

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2003 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Massachusetts, United States
Mar 2016 - Mar 2016
Mar 2016

127000 mi

US $430
CV boots ripped; replaced axles and axle seals. driver side wheel bearing disintegrated. resulted in axle snapping. Passenger knuckle ball joint hole was oblonged and no longer held the ball joint tightly. replaced passenger side knuckle and both bearings and hub assemblies 
Ford Focus in Washington, United States
Jun 2010 - Mar 2013
Jul 2011

81200 mi

US $500
Water pump impeller broke apart resulting in uncontrolled water temperature when driven, was able to drive short distances and shut off and cool down and make it to repair facility. 
Ford Focus in Alabama, United States
Jan 2012 - Jan 2022
Nov 2012

97400 mi

US $15
Front Wiper Relay Non-functional, replaced 
Jun 2013

104000 mi

US $25
Hood release cable broken and replaced 
Aug 2013

105000 mi

US $60
Stripped bleed screw in LR caliper. Thread kits did not work, needed to replace caliper 
Apr 2014

110300 mi

US $50
Bad alternator. Was Duralast lifetime warranty installed in 2008, replacing original. New pigtail/connector also installed in 2008. No cost to replace part. Also replaced serpentine belt. Terrible misfire only under load. CEL did not show up until ~3 key cycles later. Bad coil connector, factory wiring was pulled too tight and broke, causing to run on 2 cylinders. Replaced connector and pigtail. Also replaced fuel filter. 
Sep 2014

114000 mi

US $12
Rattle in rear hatch. License plate lamp lens had broken and was hanging by wires. Repaired with new lens. CEL for O2 sensor. Noticed broken wiring near O2 sensor connector. Connector was disassembled, wiring soldered and reassembled. No parts replaced. 
Apr 2015

118300 mi
CEL for O2 sensor slow response. Fixed by oil change (4000 mi since previous) 
Dec 2015

124000 mi
Rear brake caliper frozen on sliding pins. Removed, cleaned, and re-greased pin and bore. 
Apr 2016

128200 mi

US $30
Replace rear wheel bearings 
Jul 2016

129300 mi
Torn shift boot. Re-stitched and conditioned dried leather. 
Nov 2016

132700 mi

US $3
Speedometer and Odometer not working when cold. Worked fine when warmed up. Removed and cleaned metal shavings from sensor. Issue has not returned. 
Apr 2017

137000 mi
CEL for IMRC. Cleaned MAF, air filter, throttle body, IAC. CEL is still intermittent 
Sep 2017

141000 mi

US $4
Water leak, dripping from headliner, traced to upper windshield. Removed headliner and siliconed inside of windshield. Seems to be holding so far. Suspect that windshield was previously replaced incorrectly. 
Mar 2018

147000 mi

US $100
Tensioner pulley locked up. Replaced tensioner, idler, belt 
May 2018

149000 mi

US $25
Replace rear wheel bearing and inner seal Replace lower engine/trans mount 
Jul 2021

177000 mi

US $25
Coolant crossover pipe 
Ford Focus in Vermont, United States
Jul 2012 - Oct 2012
Oct 2012

62000 mi

US $65
Faulty 02 Sensor - Replaced 
Ford Focus in Tennessee, United States
Dec 2004 - Jan 2022
Oct 2004

8000 mi
The car would occasionally stall when bringing the vehicle to a stop. The computer was recalibrated, and mostly solved the problem. 
Mar 2008

40000 mi

US $100
The mist feature of the wiper switch no longer stopped the wipers in the down position. The in-dash CD changer jammed. The wiper motor and CD changer were both replaced under extended warranty. 
Jun 2009

60000 mi

US $2
An o-ring on the thermostat housing started leaking. I replaced the O-ring. 
Jun 2015

115000 mi

US $200
Alternator failed. Failure was slow and progressive. Alternator continued to put out positive voltage and current, but not enough to make up what was used. At repair, alt put out 11.5V max. 
Sep 2016

123000 mi

US $40
Aftermarket control arm bushings were worn out. 
Dec 2021

136000 mi

US $100
Failing battery replaced with new AGM XS Power battery. 
Ford Focus in New Mexico, United States
Feb 2008 - Nov 2014
Jun 2008

40000 mi

US $95
I had a locksmith replace the defective ignition cylinder every Focus built between 2000 and 2005 came equipped with. It should be a recall but Ford has refused. A class action lawsuit is being filed. 
Jan 2009

44000 mi

US $250
Shift cables fell apart again. It took three days to get the parts. I've been experiencing a "clunk" in the front end and http://focusfanatics.com suggested I check the "endlinks". I asked my mechanic to inspect the "endlinks" and he said they were worn out. He replaced them with "moog" parts and the clunk was fixed. 
Dec 2010

58000 mi

US $340
Clutch master cylinder was replaced; again. 
Feb 2011

60000 mi
Junk plastic thermostat housing cracked again and had to be replaced. Replaced with another junk plastic thermostat housing.  
Sep 2013

80000 mi

US $1352
Timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt, all associated tensioners, hoses, cooling system service and a broken SVT-specific exhaust bracket was replaced. The bracket took several days to find since virtually all replacement parts for SVTF have stopped. 
Ford Focus in Ohio, United States
Mar 2008 - Feb 2011
Jun 2009

51000 mi

US $30
Front Sway bar end-links came loose. Replaced with Moog components. This is a known and common issue on this platform.  
Jul 2009

52000 mi

US $350
The seal from the high pressure line to the power steering pump failed.  
Jul 2010

65000 mi
Fixed coolant hose leak, thermostat leak, and leaking valve cover. 

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2003 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

145-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Massachusetts, United States
Aug 2016 - Mar 2017
Mar 2017

123000 mi
Hesitation during acceleration below 2500rpm. Occasional near stall during warm starts. Haven't fixed yet. 
Ford Focus in Nevada, United States
Oct 2014 - Feb 2015
Oct 2014

89000 mi

US $388
Power steering pump needed replacement. 
Dec 2014

90000 mi

US $80
Check engine light would not turn off, mechanic cleaned throttle body. Check engine light came back on a month later. It pops on regularly 
Feb 2015

90000 mi
CEL issue not resolved. 

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2003 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Tennessee, United States
Oct 2011 - Dec 2016
May 2014

166000 mi

US $50
Replaced the left front wheel bearing. 
Jun 2014

167000 mi

US $130
Replaced starter 
May 2015

182000 mi

US $28
Replaced ignition coil to correct intermittent misfire. 
Sep 2016

202000 mi

US $150
Replaced PCV valve and hoses. Engin runs better but check engine light is still on. 
Dec 2016

202000 mi
CEL on 
Ford Focus in Oklahoma, United States
Apr 2006 - Jun 2011
May 2006

34500 mi
Ignition key lock in the steering column broke and was repaired under warranty. 
Jul 2007

75000 mi

US $600
Replaced clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing. The springs in the clutch broke. 
May 2009

104500 mi

US $187
Replaced starter. 
Jun 2009

108000 mi

US $150
Thermostat housing cracked and had to be replaced. 
Sep 2009

108000 mi

US $310
leaking water pump 
Aug 2010

127000 mi

US $150
Passenger side motor mount failed causing excessive vibration. 
Ford Focus in California, United States
Nov 2008 - Jan 2018
Oct 2008

58246 mi

US $502
Front Rotors, Bleed brake system, wheel stud, oil change, fuel filter.  
Jul 2009

63638 mi

US $115
road force balance to fix vibration. 
Dec 2009

70281 mi

US $245
Replaced Valve cover gasket. 
Dec 2010

82000 mi

US $1060
Alternator died.  Power steering pump leaking. Alternator died. Power steering pump leaking.  
Jan 2013

120500 mi

US $550
New struts and shocks 
Mar 2013

98000 mi

US $90
Rain leaked onto passenger floor. Replaced passenger side cowl between windshield and hood. Required purchase of glass setting butyl tape and new passenger cowl. 
Dec 2013

102000 mi

US $170
Thermostat would stay open and the car wouldn't get warm. 
Dec 2014

109000 mi

US $200
Stabilizer links needed to be replaced due to rattling. Thermostat housing replaced 
Dec 2015

117000 mi

US $120
Cooling System. The Coolant Return Tank, the Heater Hose Outlet, and the plastic screw for the radiator started leaking all within a month of each other. 

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2003 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Michigan, United States
Jul 2010 - Mar 2012
Aug 2010

99000 mi

US $50
Thermostat housing was leaking. The seal between the plastic housing and the engine head was broken. 
Nov 2010

103000 mi
Brake light wire was broken at the hinge of the back hatch. This caused the middle brake light to not work and the brake lights of the other two lights to always be on. 
Jul 2011

116000 mi

US $50
Rear motor mount was bad 

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2003 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Focus in Vermont, United States
Dec 2013 - Oct 2017
Jan 2014

143000 mi

US $45
Bought this car cheap and to fix a couple things immediately. Replaced front passenger side wheel bearing. Replaced drivers window mechanism. I replaced the broken air filter box. Previous owner had broken it trying to remove the cover. I got the replacement at a salvage yard. 
Jun 2014

146000 mi

US $179
Power steering line started leaking and spraying ps fluid onto the engine. It did cause a small fire. Could have been catastrophic but I put it out quickly. 
Jul 2014

146300 mi

US $380
I replaced the cat and put on a cat back exhaust. 
Aug 2014

147000 mi

US $50
Replaced the oil pan. The old one had so much rust I was worried it might start leaking at any time. I replaced the flex pipe between the Cat and the Cat Back. 
Sep 2014

148000 mi

US $45
Replaced sway bar links. 
Oct 2014

148000 mi

US $335
Blew a brakeline in the rear. Needed to replace the lines, fittings on the backplate, and shoes. Parking brake cables were bad from when I got the car. 
Nov 2015

155100 mi

US $360
Drivers side Wheel bearing replaced Drivers side cv axle replaced due to torn boot. 
Jan 2016

157200 mi

US $70
Replaced battery 
Aug 2016

160000 mi

US $320
Replaced starter. 
Ford Focus in Florida, United States
Oct 2010 - Jan 2012
Dec 2010

48000 mi

US $60
Passenger motor mount defective. 
Apr 2011

50000 mi

US $50
Replaced defective DDPFE valve, which controls EGR valve gases. 
Oct 2011

58000 mi

US $60
Replaced faulty ignition coil pack. replaced worn-out strut end links.  Also replaced rear transmission mount discovered to be defective while above repairs were made. 

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2003 Ford Focus 2dr Hatch

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in Colorado, United States
Dec 2007 - Jun 2017
Dec 2015

114000 mi

US $900
bad alternator 

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2003 Ford Focus

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Ford Focus in Indiana, United States
Mar 2009 - Apr 2012
Aug 2009

73000 mi
Coolant was leaking slowly out gasket on undercarriage. Gasket tightened. 
Oct 2009

77000 mi

US $80
rear sway bar loose, bushings replaced to tighten 
Jul 2010

88000 mi

US $160
Noticed creaking noises under hard cornering. Front sway bar bushings were replaced and suspension lubed. 

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2002.5 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in California, United States
Apr 2011 - Mar 2014
Jun 2011

130000 mi

US $150
Car had a rattle sound in the body, I thought is was something else. but ended up being a sound inside the strut.  
Mar 2014

160000 mi

US $600
Power Steering went out. 

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2002.5 Ford Focus 4dr Wagon

110-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Focus in New Brunswick, Canada
Dec 2015 - Jun 2016
Dec 2015

123380 mi

C $1000
Rebuilt transmission at 95000 km distributor cap starter brakes twice muffler 3 times suspension finished rusted out cant pass inspection Rattle, cause not found. 

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2003 Ford Focus Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Ford Focus problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.